Kenyaleo.co.ke

Author: Kenyaleo Editorial Team

  • KNQA Makes Major Strides Under wise leadership of Dr. Alice Kande

    KNQA Makes Major Strides Under wise leadership of Dr. Alice Kande

    PS VTT Dr.Esther Thaara Muoria officiating a target engagement Workshop to collect input on
    differentiated cost unit for Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment cost from stakeholders and build
    consensus and validate the draft DUC of assessing RPL.

    Present during the meeting Chair KNQA, CPA Rosemary Njogu, DG KNQA Dr. Alice Kande, ILO
    Rep.Caroline Njuki, Principals Kabete Polytechnic, Nyeri National Polytechnic, Meru National
    Polytechnic, Eldoret National Polytechnic, FKE, HRMPEB, KNFJKA,KNEC, MOE among others.

  • Bank of Kigali Mobile App transactions rise tenfold on system upgrade

    Bank of Kigali Mobile App transactions rise tenfold on system upgrade

    The volume of transactions handled on the Bank of Kigali (BK) Mobile App increased tenfold in three months following launch of the lender’s upgraded digital system, fresh data has revealed.

    Month-on-month transaction volumes on the BK Mobile App increased sharply to 110,100 as at December 31, up from 10,817 recorded in October 2022, the first month under the upgraded digital system.

    The value of transactions handled on the app increased in tandem to KSh97.8 million as at December 31, up from KSh6.1 million recorded in October.

    “This is a clear sign that our customers have embraced our new, revolutionary digital system including the mobile app,” said the Bank of Kigali CEO, Dr Diane Karusisi.

    Bank of Kigali, a subsidiary of BK Group which is dual-listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange and Nairobi Securities Exchange, on September 30 last year launched an upgraded digital system with unique biometric recognition capabilities.

    The USSD version of BK Mobile officially went live on Sunday, February 26th, 2023, and in two weeks the platform on-boarded 68,611 users, supporting 139,641 transactions valued at KSh1.1 billion.

    The new BK Mobile USSD interbank transfers capability through the “BK to other banks” feature will allow BK customers to carry out transfers to other banks via USSD.

    “This new feature set is expected to revolutionize the way people conduct financial transactions, making it easier, faster, and more convenient than ever before,” said Dr. Karusisi.

    An average of 2,500 customers onboarded themselves through the BK Mobile App in the three months, adding up to 7,679 new users in the quarter.

    The Internet Banking 2.0 and BK Digital Lending also allows customers to conduct several transactions including transfers and scheduling of advance payments.

    “The data indicates that the system upgrade as well as the new products have become a big hit with our customers including Rwandans in the diaspora,” said Dr Karusisi.

    Account opening time has reduced to just a few minutes from more than an hour previously.

    BK targets to onboard 80 percent of its customers onto its digital platform in two years, up from about 40 percent currently.

    The bank in mid-October signed a partnership with World First Asia to enable its customers to send money instantly to China at a fraction of the cost of other cash transfer services in the market.

    BK’s integration with China’s Ali Pay, a third-party online payment solution owned by Ant Financial, a subsidiary of World First Asia, enables account holders to send money from Rwanda to China instantly through Ali Pay.

  • EABL Partners With Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust To Conserve, Protect And Maintain The Upper Tana Watershed

    EABL Partners With Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust To Conserve, Protect And Maintain The Upper Tana Watershed

    Through a USD 50,000 grant, East African Breweries Limited PLC (EABL) has partnered with the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust towards collaboratively supporting the conservation, protection and maintenance of the Upper Tana Watershed.
    The Upper Tana watershed supports 95% of the water supply for Nairobi, which currently has a population of over 5 million people.  It also generates 50% of the nation’s energy – hydropower.
    The grant will go towards supporting farmers to plant more high value fruit trees that will aid in curbing climate change, while also providing food and additional income for the farmers. The funding will also go towards constructing more water pans and adding irrigation kits at the Upper Tana watershed which includes the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare ranges.
    Speaking at the event, EABL’s Group Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Eric Kiniti, said the company was keen on creating a positive impact in the community and that the contribution capitalizes on collective action towards climate change mitigation.
    “Water is of great value to our business, but we also understand that its value to communities is even greater. Reforestation is vital in supporting water systems thus the need to support tree growing programmes, as well as the protection of water catchment areas. This is why we are investing in upstream watershed conservation efforts, for the benefit of farmers, businesses and more than 9 million Kenyans who depend on the Tana River for their freshwater”. Mr. Kiniti said.
    The Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust is a public-private partnership working collaboratively throughout the Upper Tana watershed to solve a key challenge – water security for Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi. The mission of the Water Fund is to support the long-term conservation, protection and maintenance of the Upper Tana Watershed thereby improving Nairobi’s water security and the function of hydropower facilities.
    In October 2021, EABL provided a grant of Ksh. 5 million to the fund, geared towards supporting farmers with 15,000 high value fruit trees, 150 water pans and 35 drip irrigation kits. This went towards supporting conservation and sustainable management of Upper Tana watershed through promotion of sustainable land management (SLM) and integrated natural resources management (INRM) practices, thereby improving the livelihood of farming households while promoting watershed conservation.
    During this engagement, farmers living with disability were prioritised to facilitate their access to water. Prior to the project, they were not able to cover the long distances in search of water and resorted to buying water at high prices.
    With the support of EABL and the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust, these groups have constructed rainwater harvesting pans, lined the water pans and installed drip irrigation systems. This ensures access to water for their farms and sustainable land management, thus enhancing economic empowerment.
    The new grant will also benefit farmers with disabilities ensuring their continued inclusion in building the country’s economy.
  • Chai SACCO marks 50th Anniversary, banks on digital transformations to propel its growth plans

    Chai SACCO marks 50th Anniversary, banks on digital transformations to propel its growth plans

    Chai SACCO, a leading Deposit-Taking (DT) Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO), today, marks fifty (50) years since it started its operations of empowering its members economically, socially, and promoting financial inclusion.

    Over the past fifty (50) years, Chai SACCO has played an integral role in enriching the lives of Kenyans and in the transformation of the SACCO subsector through financial inclusion, wealth creation and employment in the country.

    Some of the most recent milestones the SACCO has achieved are the investment and introduction of innovative financial products and services including credit, savings, loans and insurance solutions that have resulted in the growth of its membership base and improved financial performance of SACCO for the period ending 2022.

    While gracing the celebrations, Cabinet Secretary State Department for Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kiburi Kilemi said, “I am delighted to be part of this important occasion when you are celebrating your Golden Jubilee as well as the awarding of Quality Management System (QMS)- ISO  9001-2005 certification. The Ministry will continue to strengthen commodity co-operatives to carry out value addition with their view to increasing their competitiveness and returns to members.”

    Speaking during the half-century celebrations and commenting on the financial performance of the SACCO, Chai SACCO Chairman Boniface Ayub said, “As we mark the 50th anniversary, the SACCO has achieved remarkable success in its financial operations. We have recorded a growth of 8.7 per cent in 2022 compared to 7.5% in 2021, with the total assets growing from Ksh. 4.3 billion to close at Ksh. 4.7 billion. Our revenue increased by 14.2 per cent from Kshs 634million to Ksh.725million. These are good projections and a golden ticket to chat the path forward. We continue to implement our strategic plan which is anchored on technology and new innovations. I’m proud to mention that we have been able to achieve all our ratios, particularly, the institutional capital ratio which was below the threshold of 8%.”

    Mr Ayub disclosed that the Chai SACCO has a strong membership base with the Society recording an active membership growth of 27.9 per cent from 25,945 members in 2021, closing at 33,184 members in 2022. He noted that the results are attributed to a new recruitment drive, activation of dormant accounts and review of membership policy to include transactions such as deposits, shares and saving; and loan repayment in determining dominant membership. He disclosed that the execution of these initiatives led to the reduction of the dormant members from 9,131 to 707.

    And added: “Chai SACCO members’ share capital grew by 6.1% from Ksh.536million to Ksh.569million. Members’ deposits also increased from Ksh. 3.0 billion in 2021 to Kshs 3.3 billion in 2022. This shows the resilience of our SACCO and its members amid the global macro environmental challenges and most industries and sectors struggling to sustain their businesses due to the economic shocks and recovery from the global pandemic,’’ said Mr Ayub.

    During the reporting period, Chai SACCO has focused on investing and enhancing its operational efficiency by implementing robust ICT systems, introducing member self-service products like e-loan, short-term electronic loans and online products and services. The SACCO has successfully implemented a Quality Management System (QMS) process that led to achieving the ISO 9001:2015 QMS certificate.

    Commenting on Chai SACCO’s future outlook, Mr Ayub said that the SACCO played a significant role in the development of the SACCO subsector in Kenya. He noted that the SACCO’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability has set the standards for other SACCOs to follow. He added that the SACCO’s financial strength and stability have inspired confidence in members and the wider public, and have contributed to the growth and development of the cooperative movement in the country.

    The SACCO subsector is a significant contributor to Kenya’s economy with an approximation of 5.7 per cent of the total assets to GDP ratio. There has been upward growth within the sector which cannot be found ignored. The SACCO movement in Kenya has been instrumental in transforming the country’s financial sector by providing financial services to millions of Kenyans who would otherwise not have access to them. SACCOs are member-owned financial cooperatives that provide savings and credit facilities to their members at affordable interest rates. Over the years, SACCOs have grown in popularity and membership, with over 5,000 registered SACCOs in Kenya today, serving over 14 million members.

    Speaking at the same function, Chai SACCO CEO Francis Mwatee expressed his gratitude to the members for their unwavering support over the years. “We are proud of what we have achieved over the past 50 years, and we look forward to continuing our journey of transforming the lives of our members and the communities we serve,”

    As the Chai SACCO celebrates its 50th anniversary, it reaffirms its commitment to continue offering quality financial services to its members while supporting the development of the tea-growing regions and the country at large. As part of the celebrations, the SACCO will hold its 50th Annual general meeting (AGM), tomorrow.

    The Kenyan government has recognised the important role that SACCOs play in the country’s economy and has over time introduced policies to support their growth. The government has provided financial support and incentives to SACCOs, including tax breaks and grants, to encourage them to expand their operations and reach more members.

    One of the most significant contributions of SACCOs to the Kenyan economy has been their role in promoting financial inclusion. SACCOs have enabled millions of Kenyans to access financial services, which has in turn helped to reduce poverty and increase economic growth. By providing affordable credit to small businesses and farmers, SACCOs have also helped to stimulate local economies and create employment opportunities.

    Chai SACCO continues to grow its stature in the SACCO subsector and financial industry, demonstrated by its unrivalled commitment to transforming the Tea, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs), Agri-business sectors, and Youth and Women empowerment initiatives.

  • CNN’S #MYFREEDOMDAY CALLS ON STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD TO “KNOW THE SIGNS” OF MODERN-DAY SLAVERY

    CNN’S #MYFREEDOMDAY CALLS ON STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD TO “KNOW THE SIGNS” OF MODERN-DAY SLAVERY

    Now in its seventh year, #MyFreedomDay, CNN’s one-day, student-driven social media event to raise awareness of modern-day slavery, returned on the 16th of March. The driving force behind this year’s event is a call on students and communities worldwide to “Know the Signs” of modern-day slavery, as a key tool to identify and stamp out human trafficking in their communities.

    Thousands of students from more than 100 countries have accepted this year’s call to action, with students organizing online discussions, book clubs, art exhibitions, video campaigns, live music performances, and other planned activities.

    On Saturday the 18th of March, CNN International will broadcast Fighting for Mercy: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary. This film follows Mercy Esther, a survivor who at just 8 years old was taken from her village in rural Tanzania and forced into domestic servitude in a faraway city. At 16, she made a daring escape to find her family and reclaim her life. Working with the Kulczyk Foundation, the CNN Freedom Project investigates this common reality in Tanzania and highlights one brave Tanzanian woman, a survivor of domestic servitude herself, who has devoted her life to saving girls like Mercy Esther and changing the mindset of people who have allowed this abuse to become a part of the culture.

    In Kenya, Georgia Fernandes, a 21-year-old student of architecture wrote the script for the film “Mercy”. The film represents the perseverance that thousands of young girls demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which statistics of gender-based violence reached appalling heights in Kenya. She hopes that the short film’s viewers will recognise the ripple effect of a single wrong decision on multiple lives and the film will push men to “Think Twice” before they even touch a girl. Mercy will be launched officially for public viewing in the month of March 2023.

    CNN’s #MyFreedomDay microsite, CNN.com/MyFreedomDay will offer interactive content to “Know the Signs” of modern-day slavery in all its different forms and serve as educational tools for students and broader audiences worldwide. CNN is encouraging students to share their responses to the question ‘What does freedom mean to you?’ using the #MyFreedomDay hashtag, which will be showcased on the microsite.

    Leif Coorlim, the executive editor of the CNN Freedom Project, said: “Year after year, we are amazed by the response of students from around the world, who, inspired by the remarkable stories of survivors of human trafficking, turn their alarm into action. This year, we are honoured to offer them practical tools to know the signs of modern-day slavery so that they may amplify this message and help put an end to it wherever it occurs.”

    #MyFreedomDay coverage will kick off at 12amET on CNN International, with correspondents contributing throughout the day from Atlanta, Hong Kong, and London among others. CNN correspondents will also highlight remarkable stories of survivors of human trafficking from such diverse places as Bolivia, Cambodia and San Diego, California.

  • Kenyan PR firm AM Communications eyes African market

    Kenyan PR firm AM Communications eyes African market

    Kenyan public relations and digital consultancy firm AM Communications has partnered with South Africa-based Alfa Destiny Communications in a deal targeting the fast-growing African market for specialized corporate communication and reputation management solutions.

    Announcing the collaboration, the two agencies have agreed to jointly provide innovative strategic communications solutions to local and multinational clients with a presence in or seeking to enter the African market, with the initial target being Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Nigeria.

    AM Communications Managing Partner, Anthony Mutua, says the partnership is geared to creating synergy to deliver unique, timely and relevant communications solutions to local and international brands keen on establishing and growing their presence on the continent.

    “The goal of this partnership is to help our mutual clients build brand visibility and support their growth and success, while strengthening our regional footprint in Africa. A strong understanding of the local market is key to delivering insightful, informed and well-nuanced solutions that help our clients understand and adapt to the needs of this market,” said Mutua.

    He added, “Increased diversification in the large economies in Africa, a flourishing middle-income consumer market, and increased investment in key sectors like infrastructure, financial services, transport, ICT, health and manufacturing tells an exciting and promising story about Africa.”

    On her part, Tshego Kekana, Founder and Managing Director of Alfa Destiny Communications cited the rapidly evolving dynamics in the continent’s PR landscape, headlined by digital disruption, hence the need for innovative but localized solutions to clients’ needs.

    “Our collaboration with AM Communications is designed to enable both agencies harness their strong presence in key markets in Africa, with locally relevant communications solutions tailored to specific in-country markets,” explained Kekana.

    In 2022, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) published the first ever report on the African public relations (PR) landscape. The report shows improved demand public relations and strategic communications on the continent. An increasingly sophisticated commercial and media environment has also attracted global PR agencies keen on tapping on this growing demand especially for reputation management for brands and companies. The move towards digital and social media-led communication strategies also represents a strong growth area for African PR practitioners.

    AM Communications was established in 2018 and has since grown rapidly servicing big global brands in Kenya and East Africa like KLM, Air France, Novozymes, Microsoft, Tatu City, Faulu Bank, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Maersk, LG Electronics, Pwani Oil and Old Mutual among others.

    Alfa Destiny Communications currently has a presence in five African countries, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria. The firm, which counts among its clients’ big brands like Absa Bank, Kelloggs, Hatch, Healthgarde International and Johannesburg Social Housing Council – specializes in public relations, marketing, media relations, digital marketing, influencer marketing and event management.

  • Larry Madowo meets legendary African NBA basketballers, reveals their scores on court and in community

    Larry Madowo meets legendary African NBA basketballers, reveals their scores on court and in community

    In a new episode of African Voices Playmakers, a special edition of CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, Larry Madowo meets former and current African NBA basketball players who are scoring big for their teams and assisting their communities back home.

    Masai Ujiri, who was born and raised in Nigeria, founded the Giants of Africa (GOA) organisation to educate and enrich the lives of African youth. He explains, “I think there’s so much talent in Africa that, the more eyes we get on us, the more we are going to have these talents coming out of different places.” As president of the Toronto Raptors, Ujiri has scouted and helped numerous African playmakers, including Pascal Siakam and Christian Koloko.

    Both Siakam and Koloko were invited to play in the Basketball Without Borders Camps hosted by the NBA. For Siakam, the camp led to him being drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2016. He describes his first ever experience playing in a professional NBA basketball game, “That was something that was bigger than just me. It was something that was big for the continent and my family.”

    After becoming the NBA’s most improved player and helping the Raptors win the 2018 season championship, Siakam celebrated by bringing the trophy to Cameroon. “You want to play basketball and you want to get to the highest level, but you don’t really think about those moments. Being able to go back and show the kids back home that a guy who was just like you, who comes from the same place as you and is going through the same things you’re going through right now, can accomplish these things. Giving them an opportunity to just dream and believe that this is possible. I think that we all need that as young kids in Africa.”

    Koloko was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2022. Toronto was noticeably different to Arizona, where he had previously been for three years playing college basketball. “I was happy first and then I was like, it’s cold in Toronto. Five seconds later I thought, I’m a basketball player, I’ll be adjusting my whole life and I don’t think the cold is going to stop me from living my dream. I was really happy that Toronto drafted me, I knew they had Pascal, they have a good history of African players.”

    Both Koloko and Siakam describe Ujiri’s influence as a mentor, “What he’s doing for Africa in general is amazing. He says Africans must win. And he’s trying to do everything in his power to make that happen.” Siakam echoes this sentiment, saying “He’s a great leader.” The two Cameroonians also describe their brotherly bond, Siakam saying “[Koloko] always knows that I’m here and he can always call me or text me.”

    Bismack Biyombo is a Congolese player who plays for the Phoenix Suns. He first caught the NBA’s attention when he attended a USA basketball event as a teenager. He says that he will never forget where he came from, “When you come out of Africa, we take Africa everywhere we go, no matter where we are. They are always going to look at us as people that represent Africa and kids across the continent look up to us.”

    Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo wasn’t always easy, Biyombo shares. “There are days you go with no food, where you just don’t know how tomorrow is going to look. But one of the things growing up in Africa is that our parents might not have food on the table, but you are going to get educated. One of the things that I really admire about growing up there, although it was tough, is that we grew up close, my brothers, my sisters, we’re all best friends.”

    He now hosts his own basketball camps, hoping to instill a sense of pride in children across the continent and nurture home-grown talent. “As a kid, I think you want a way out of Africa for opportunities. But for me that has become, how can I give them a reason to stay? I see myself in them because I understand what they are going through,” he says. In one of his biggest projects to date, Biyombo donated his entire NBA salary for the 21-22 season to build a hospital in Congo to honour his father’s passing. Looking forward, he says he is excited to see how the sport will continue to evolve and impact people across the continent.

    Clarisse Machanguana, founder and executive director of the Clarisse Machanguana Foundation is using sport to help children in her hometown reach their dreams. “The women’s sports world is unique in that it gives a woman an opportunity to go about their dream. Basketball for me goes beyond being on the basketball court. It transcends to my daily life,” she says.

    After playing professional basketball for 23 years, Machanguana returned to Mozambique to empower youth. In 2014, she created her foundation to destigmatise HIV and empower the country’s new generation. “My drive and my mission is to create a difference for the girls of this country. It is my belief that limited access to education and very low self-esteem leads them to have very little agency over their lives. I wake up every day trying to figure out how I can enhance that.”

    She concludes, “My vision for Mozambique youth, because that’s what I most embrace, is that they have easier access to education that allows them to make smart decisions. With that we’ll reduce HIV and contribute to the country’s growth. It might take a hundred years, it might take the time of my life, or it might happen after I have created the mentors that will take over the work, but I’m doing something.”

     

    African Voices Playmakers airs on Saturday 11th March 2023 at 1330 SAST

    The show also airs at the following times:

    Sunday 12th March 2023 at 0530 SAST and 1930 SAST

    Monday 13th March 2023 at 0400 SAST

    Saturday 18th March 2023 at 1400 SAST

    Sunday 19th March 2023 at 0430 SAST and 1930 SAST

    Monday 20th March 2023 at 0400 SAST

  • Huawei in Kshs 10 million conservation boost

    Huawei in Kshs 10 million conservation boost

    Huawei Kenya has announced the investment of Kshs 10 million (USD100,000) into the wildlife and environmental conservation programs run by the Lewa Conservancy including the endangered white rhino. The funds are also intended to support the conservancy’s community empowerment efforts which has so far touched more than 120,000 people around the area, covering education and entrepreneurship.

    Speaking during the announcement of this year’s edition of the Lewa Safari, Huawei Kenya Deputy CEO Sheng Kaifu said that as a leading global ICT solutions provider, Huawei is dedicated to sustainable socioeconomic development and strives to build a better-connected world in which everyone can share everything. The event will take place at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on 24th June.

    “Huawei is committed to supporting environmental and wildlife conservation which we have done for the past 16 years. The conservancy is home to some of the rarest wildlife and we know through our support and the difference we make in preserving the iconic species at the conservancy for future generations as well as the surrounding communities”, said Sheng.

    The firm’s sustainability mission includes minimizing its environmental impact in manufacturing, operations, and over the entire lifecycles of its products and services. Huawei’s innovative products and solutions help industries reduce their energy consumption and emissions, and contribute to the circular economy by actively working with industry partners to shrink the collective carbon footprint. 98 per cent of Huawei’s top 100 suppliers and energy-intensive suppliers have set carbon emissions reduction targets with the support of Huawei.

    Since its inception in 2000 the annual event has raised over Kshs 800 million (USD8 million) in support of conservation and community initiatives throughout Kenya. Nearly Kshs 400 million (USD4 million) have been invested in the direct protection of endangered species, other wildlife and their habitats.

    Huawei joins Safaricom in these conservation efforts where the telecommunication service provider also put in Kshs 10 million towards the 2023 season.

    “We are proud to be part of this noble cause as we run to create awareness and take action to conserve our wildlife. We have been part of Lewa Safari’s journey of success since its inception in 2000. Today, we are proud to extend our partnership as we sponsor the event for KES 10 million. The event means a lot to us as a company because we aim to support the growth and development of talent, while conserving the country’s environment and wildlife.” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.

    Reflecting on the event, Mike Watson, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy CEO said, “The Lewa Safari is not only a crucial component of our fundraising efforts, with all proceeds going directly toward conservation and community empowerment efforts, but is regarded as a world-class sporting event. It’s your chance to be part of something extraordinary that brings people together from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds with shared values. Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting, the event has something for everyone. And by participating, you’ll not only have an unforgettable experience, but you’ll also be positively impacting our planet”

  • LG Unveils Latest Cutting-Edge Innovations At 2023 MEA LG Showcase, Aims to Enhance Customer Experience

    LG Unveils Latest Cutting-Edge Innovations At 2023 MEA LG Showcase, Aims to Enhance Customer Experience

    ·         LG’s flagship event returns after 4 years to highlight the company’s latest products.

    ·         The event reaffirms the company’s “Life’s Good” philosophy, which aims to bring innovative products to the market that enhance the overall customer experience.

    ·         This year’s highlights feature “First, Unique, and New” experiences with lifestyle TVs, WashTower™, and LG’s built-in home appliances.

    LG Showcase MEA 2023 is now open, marking the first time in four years that LG Electronics is presenting its latest products in the region.

    The two-day event is taking place at Habtoor City in Dubai, UAE, and is attended by over 400 guests. Visitors will have the chance to witness LG’s latest innovations, which will soon be rolled out in the region.

    The LG Showcase, which was last held in 2019, brings together the largest group of participants ever, reflecting their confidence and expectations towards LG’s brand and its exciting range of new products. The event reaffirms the company’s “Life’s Good” philosophy, which aims to bring innovative products to the market that enhance the overall customer experience.

    Giving his Keynote Speech, Mr. Il Hwan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LG MEA Region, said, “We are thrilled that LG Showcase MEA has resumed in Dubai in the post-pandemic period. This event has built a reputation for providing visitors with first-hand experiences with the most innovative technology that LG has developed, providing our customers with ‘First, Unique, and New’ experiences. Despite the industry’s challenges over the past few years, it is wonderful to see so many guests and partners at the event today.”

    The company has also made its range of strategic products available, including QNED TV, Vivace washing machine, and DualCool air conditioner. Guests can also experience LG’s new emerging products range featuring dishwashers, dryers, audio systems, gaming monitors, PCs, vacuum cleaners, stylers, and more.

    In his remarks, Dong Won Lee, MD, LG East Africa, said, “Everyone at LG is excited for the start of LG Showcase 2023 MEA. We have a whole host of innovative new products and devices on display for visitors to use and experience. With almost 400 guests confirmed to attend, we expect plenty of interest from visitors about how LG sees the future of technology in the coming years. The event is also a wonderful opportunity for LG to further enhance our business relationships with local partners. As a company, we are fully committed to supporting local customers and partners by fulfilling their needs as well as sharing the values the company stands for with ‘Life’s Good’.”

    Visitors at the showcase will have the opportunity to get hands-on with LG’s newest high-end premium products, including the LG SIGNATURE second generation line-up, Wireless OLED TVs (including 10-year anniversary editions), and refrigerator with MoodUP™.

    This year’s highlights feature “First, Unique, and New” experiences with lifestyle TVs and WashTower™. A particular focus is LG’s built-in home appliance range of products that further enhance LG’s presence and position in the market.

    For more details about LG’s range of products please visit: www.lg.com

  • 190-year-old British-based global development organisation operating in 86 countries moves part of its strategic leadership operations into Kenya

    190-year-old British-based global development organisation operating in 86 countries moves part of its strategic leadership operations into Kenya

    The British not-for-profit international development organisation Crown Agents, which supplied locomotives to Kenya’s very first railway lines, has unveiled a strategic change in its Kenyan operations, with the opening of new offices in Nairobi to put Kenyan experts in charge of parts of its global operations.

    The development company implements programmes for governments, donors and agencies worldwide. Crown Agents has had offices in Kenya since 1965 supporting the Government of Kenya in delivering programmes in procurement reform, health and government staff training. However, in the last year, it has tripled its staff in Nairobi, appointing Kenyan experts to manage parts of its global strategy and programmes. Crown Agents is now managing global recruitment from Nairobi, as well as its global fund management strategy.

    This follows from Crown Agents Kenya taking a leading role in tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases by facilitating the administration of 8.5 million treatments against Schistosomiasis (Schisto) and Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) across the world. The treatments were funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Children’s Investment Foundation (CIFF) as part of their effort to eradicate NTDs globally.

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    Last year, Crown Agents Kenya collaborated with philanthropists and the Irish and Japanese Governments to deliver over 4.5 million pieces of assorted PPE, ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other medical equipment to hospitals around the country to support Kenya’s fight against COVID-19.

    Crown Agents Kenya is currently working closely with the Governments of Kenya and Jersey to reinvest three million pounds of looted funds hidden in Jersey into the Kenyan health sector. Through the Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK), an asset recovery programme signed by the Governments of Kenya, Jersey, the UK and Switzerland, Crown Agents Kenya is leading in the procurement of medical equipment and the training of health workers, with the aim of providing enhanced health service delivery as part of the universal healthcare initiative.

    To accommodate its increased staff, Crown Agents Kenya is now moving to larger offices in the Green House on Ngong Road.
    The move follows a few years after the appointment to Crown Agents’ global Board of Directors, in 2021, of Non-Executive Director David Mureithi, former Unilever Managing Director for Kenya, East and Southern Africa, and board chairman of Starehe Boys Centre and School.

    “Crown Agents exists to enable governments and society in resolving some of the most onerous barriers to development. To do that most effectively, we need strategic and programmatic leadership that understands the causes, and the specific circumstances, that we face across the developing world,” said David.

    Opening the new offices, with now eight global Kenyan managers, alongside the Kenyan implementation team, recently appointed Country Director for Crown Agents in Kenya, Loise Kinyanjui, said: “We now have part of the company’s global strategy being driven by those who have lived, studied and worked in Africa, working alongside country-level staff engaged
    in detailed procurement and logistics challenges.”